Cooling apparatus and control method

ABSTRACT

A cooling apparatus includes a first power supply, a second power supply, and a power switching control unit configured to switch a power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply near the time when the temperature of a compartment starts decreasing.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a cooling apparatus such as a refrigerator and a control method thereof.

A power storage device such as a battery is used for various electronic apparatuses. An example of batteries widely used for electronic apparatuses is a lithium ion battery. The lithium ion battery is widely used because it is rechargeable and capable of outputting a high voltage. In recent years, the lithium ion battery is often used as an assembled battery including plural cells connected in series or in parallel so as to realize higher output voltage and higher capacity.

The lithium ion battery is used for a personal apparatus such as a mobile phone, digital still camera, mobile game machine, and a notebook personal computer. A battery is used not only for such personal apparatuses, but also for a bicycle with an electric motor, electric vehicle, and a refrigerator. Refrigerators including a storage battery such as the lithium ion battery are disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-164685 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-020121.

SUMMARY

When a power storage device is provided in a refrigerator to supply sufficient power to the refrigerator in the daytime, the storage device, which is usually recharged in the nighttime, has to have a high electric capacity. Thus, the size of the power storage device becomes large, while the volume of a compartment of the refrigerator becomes small. The cost of the refrigerator also becomes higher. Furthermore, such a large power storage device has a disadvantage in efficiency because the storage device spontaneously discharges regardless of the total amount of the power consumed by the refrigerator.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a cooling apparatus and a control method of charging or discharging a power storage device with efficiency.

A cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first power supply, a second power supply, and a power switching control unit configured to switch a power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply near time when a temperature of a compartment starts decreasing.

A cooling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first power supply, a second power supply, a door configured to open/close a compartment, and a power switching control unit configured to switch a power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply near time when the door is closed.

A control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is provided for a cooling apparatus including a first power supply, and a second power supply, wherein a power supply is switched from the first power supply to the second power supply near time when a temperature of a compartment starts decreasing.

According to any one of the embodiments, a power storage device in an apparatus may work efficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary external view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary cooling system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a power switching control circuit;

FIG. 5 is a time chart illustrating exemplary changes in the inside temperatures of a refrigerator according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a circle graph illustrating an exemplary difference between power rates, which occurs depending on time zones;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of processing of a refrigerator according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary modification of the refrigerator;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary modification of the power switching control circuit; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary modification of the flow of processing of the refrigerator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings in the following order.

1. Embodiment 2. Exemplary Modifications

The following embodiment and exemplary modifications are described as appropriate specific examples of the present disclosure which may be achieved without being limited to the above-described embodiment and exemplary modifications.

1. Embodiment External View of Refrigerator

FIG. 1 illustrates an external view of a refrigerator 100 which is an exemplary cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The refrigerator 100 includes a cabinet 2 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cabinet 2 is partitioned into three segments in a vertical direction, for example. In the refrigerator 100, a refrigerator compartment, a vegetable compartment, and a freezer compartment are exemplarily provided in respective internal spaces. For example, the refrigerator compartment, the vegetable compartment, and the freezer compartment are respectively provided in the upper segment, the middle segment, and the lower segment.

The refrigerator 100 has doors provided to open and close the compartments. For example, a rotatable and laterally opening door 3 a is provided on the front of the refrigerator compartment. A drawer-type door 3 b is provided on the front of the vegetable compartment. A drawer-type door 3 c is provided on the front of the freezer compartment. The refrigerator 100 is partitioned into plural segments with three partition plates, for example.

The external view of the refrigerator 100, which is illustrated in FIG. 1, is exemplarily provided and the refrigerator 100 may be achieved without being limited thereto. For example, the door 3 a may not be a laterally opening door, but a set of double doors. The freezer compartment may be provided in the middle segment, and the vegetable compartment may be provided in the lower segment. The vegetable compartment may not be provided. Switches configured to make various settings on the refrigerator 100, light emitting diodes (LED), a liquid crystal monitor, and so forth may be provided on the door 3 a. A speaker provided to instruct users on how to use the refrigerator 100 may be attached to the refrigerator 100.

Cooling System

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary cooling system 5 of the refrigerator 100. In FIG. 2, the exemplary cooling system 5 is ready for a gas compression system. Without being limited to the gas compression system, the cooling system 5 may be ready for a gas absorption system or an electronic system.

In the cooling system 5, a refrigerant is compressed with a compressor 6 and vaporized into refrigerant gas. Then, the refrigerant gas is transmitted to a condenser 7, and liquefied therein while radiating heat. The liquefied refrigerant is transmitted to the capillary tube 9 via a drier 8.

The liquefied refrigerant is decompressed with the capillary tube 9 and transmitted to a cooler 10. Then, the refrigerant vaporizes in the cooler 10 and takes heat away from the surroundings. The cooled air is distributed to each of the refrigerator compartment, the vegetable compartment, and the freezer compartment at an appropriate ratio. The temperature of each compartment is adjusted to a set temperature. The vaporized refrigerant passes through a pipe connected between the cooler 10 and the compressor 6, and returns to the compressor 6. The returned refrigerant is compressed again. In the cooling system 5, much power is consumed particularly for operations of the compressor 6.

Exemplary Configuration of Refrigerator

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary configuration of the refrigerator 100 of the embodiment. The refrigerator 100 is connected to an alternate current (AC) 100V-commercial power supply 21 which is an exemplary first power supply, for example. An alternating voltage transmitted from the commercial power supply 21 is transmitted to an AC/direct current (DC) converter 22. The AC/DC converter 22 converts the transmitted alternating voltage into a direct voltage. The direct voltage is transmitted to a charging circuit 23 and a power system changing circuit 24.

The charging circuit 23 transmits the direct voltage transmitted from the AC/DC converter 22 to a battery module 25 to charge the battery module 25. Incidentally, the battery module 25 may become charged through the use of natural energy obtained with, for example, a photovoltaic power generation module installed in a home. Turning the charging circuit 23 on/off is controlled with a power switching control unit 26 described below. For example, the charging circuit 23 is tuned on to charge the battery module 25.

The battery module 25 which is an exemplary second power supply and an exemplary power storage device is exemplarily provided as a lithium ion battery. The battery module 25 is achieved by, for example, a parallel connection of single-cell lithium ion batteries in series. Besides the lithium ion batteries, other chargeable batteries may be used as the battery module 25. The battery module 25 may be provided in the refrigerator 100, or attached to the refrigerator 100 in removable manner.

The power system changing circuit 24 selects either of a direct voltage transmitted from the AC/DC converter 22 and that transmitted from the battery module 25. Here, an exemplary configuration of the power system changing circuit 24 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a switch 24 a and a diode 24 b are provided on one side of the power system changing circuit 24, on which an input from the AC/DC converter 22 is received. The switch 24 a is controlled with the power switching control unit 26 described below. A diode 24 c is provided on the other side of the power system changing circuit 24, on which an input from the battery module 25 is received.

When the direct voltage transmitted from the AC/DC converter 22 is used, the switch 24 a is turned on. In FIG. 4, the direct voltage transmitted from the AC/DC converter 22 is larger than that transmitted from the battery module 25, for example. Accordingly, when the switch 24 a is turned on, the diode 24 b is brought into conduction and the direct voltage transmitted from the AC/DC converter 22 is selected.

When the direct voltage transmitted from the battery module 25 is used, the switch 24 a is turned off. Subsequently, the diode 24 c is brought into conduction and the direct voltage transmitted from the battery module 25 is selected.

Incidentally, a switch may be provided on the side where an input from the battery module 25 is received, and turned on/off. Further, a switch may be provided on each of the side where an input from the AC/DC converter 22 is received and the side where an input from the battery module 25 is received to turn on the switch provided on the side corresponding to the selected direct voltage.

Returning to FIG. 3, the direct voltage selected with the power system changing circuit 24 is transmitted to a compressor inverter 27. Although not illustrated, the direct voltage transmitted from the power system changing circuit 24 is transmitted not only to the compressor inverter 27, but also to the units of the refrigerator 100 for use. For example, the direct voltage output from the power system changing circuit 24 is used to illuminate the compartment of the refrigerator 100, and provide indications through the use of the LED or the liquid crystal panel.

The compressor inverter 27 converts the direct voltage transmitted from the power system changing circuit 24 into an alternating voltage. Then, the compressor inverter 27 transmits the alternating voltage to the compressor 28. The compressor 28 operates while the motor rotation number thereof is controlled based on the alternating voltage transmitted from the compressor inverter 27.

The control unit 29 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) to control the units of the refrigerator 100. The control unit 29 may be integrated into the power switching control unit 26 described below. The control unit 29 controls, for example, an alternating voltage output from the compressor inverter 27 to control the motor rotation number of the compressor 28. The control of the motor rotation number allows for respectively adjusting the inside temperatures of the refrigerator compartment, the vegetable compartment, and the freezer compartment to set temperatures.

When the door 3 a is closed, the control unit 29 performs regular cooling processing to maintain the refrigerator compartment at the set temperature. The control unit 29 controls the alternating voltage output from the compressor inverter 27 to control and adjust the motor rotation number of the compressor 28 to a specified rotation number, and performs the regular cooling processing.

The control unit 29 performs rapid cooling processing different from the regular cooling processing. The rapid cooling processing is performed after the door 3 a is closed after being opened. The rapid cooling processing is a function provided to rapidly cool the inside temperature of the freezer compartment, which is increased due to the opening of the door 3 a. When performing the rapid cooling process, the control unit 29 controls the alternating voltage output from the compressor inverter 27 so that the alternating voltage becomes higher than that output when the regular cooling processing is performed. Subsequently, the motor rotation number of the compressor 28 becomes larger than that achieved at the regular cooling processing time. The high-speed rotation of the compressor 28 allows for rapidly cooling the refrigerator compartment to the set temperature.

The power switching control unit 26 includes, for example, a CPU, and controls the power system changing circuit 24. Further, the power switching control unit 26 controls the power system changing circuit 24 to select either of the direct voltage transmitted from the AC/DC converter 22 and that transmitted from the battery module 25, for example. As stated above, the power system changing circuit 24 is controlled so that the switch 24 a is turned on when the direct voltage transmitted from the AC/DC converter 22 is selected. The power system changing circuit 24 is also controlled so that the switch 24 a is turned off when the direct voltage transmitted from the battery module 25 is selected.

Further, the power switching control unit 26 controls turning the charging circuit 23 on/off. For charging the battery module 25, the power switching control unit 26 turns on the charging circuit 23. Otherwise, the power switching control unit 26 turns off the charging circuit 23.

Sensor signals are transmitted from sensors provided in the compartments of the refrigerator 100 to the power switching control unit 26. For example, a door open/close sensor 30 and an inside temperature sensor 31 are provided in the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator 100. The door open/close sensor 30 detects the closing and opening of the door 3 a of the refrigerator compartment, and outputs a door sensor signal generated based on the detection result to the power switching control unit 26. The inside temperature sensor 31 outputs a temperature sensor signal indicating the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment to the power switching control unit 26. Incidentally, a door open/close sensor or an inside temperature sensor may be provided in the vegetable compartment or the freezer compartment of the refrigerator 100. Further, a door sensor signal or a temperature sensor signal may be transmitted to the control unit 29.

A timer signal is transmitted from a timer 32 to the power switching control unit 26. The timer 32 operates from specified time and information about cumulative time from the specified time (count value) is transmitted to the power switching control unit 26. Further, time information is transmitted from a clock unit 33 to the power switching control unit 26. The time information is about the current time such as xx o'clock xx minutes, for example. The power switching control unit 26 performs control based on the timer signal transmitted from the timer 32 or the current time information transmitted from the clock unit 33. Incidentally, the functions of the timer 32 and the clock unit 33 may be integrated into that of the power switching control unit 26.

Exemplary Output from Inside Temperature Sensor

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary temperature change measured with the inside temperature sensor 31 of the refrigerator 100. In FIG. 5, the inside temperature sensor 31 is provided in the vegetable compartment and the freezer compartment in addition to the refrigerator compartment. Of the progress of three temperature changes illustrated in FIG. 5, the progress of a temperature indicated by a solid line denotes that of a change in the temperature of the vegetable compartment. The progress of a temperature indicated by a long dashed short dashed line denotes that of a change in the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment. The progress of a temperature indicated by a long dashed double-short dashed line denotes that of a change in the inside temperature of the freezer compartment. Hereinafter, the progress of the change in the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment will be exemplarily described.

For example, assuming the door 3 a of the refrigerator compartment is opened after a lapse of one minute and the state where the door 3 a is opened lasts for a lapse of about one minute so that the inside temperature is increased. For example, the inside temperature standing at approximately 4° C. before the door 3 a is opened is increased to about 10° C. due to the opening of the door 3 a. Then, the door 3 a is closed and the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment is decreased. Incidentally, the inside capacity of the refrigerator compartment is usually larger than those of the vegetable compartment and the freezer compartment. Therefore, the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment is often increased to some extent immediately after the door 3 a is closed due to the outside air which had flown into the refrigerator compartment due to the opening of the door 3 a.

When the door 3 a is closed, the rapid cooling processing is performed to decrease the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment, which is increased due to the opening of the door 3 a. For example, the control unit 29 performs control to increase the alternating voltage output from the compressor inverter 27 so that the motor rotation number of the compressor 28 is increased. The high-speed rotation of the compressor 28 allows for rapidly decreasing the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment to the set temperature in a few minutes.

Thus, the rapid cooling processing is performed over a specified period of time after the door 3 a of the refrigerator 100 is opened and closed, so as to decrease the temperature increased due to the flow of the outside air. During the period of the rapid cooling processing, the high rotation of the compressor 28 increases the power consumption thereof. During the rapid cooling processing, not only the motor of the compressor 28, but also a fan motor (not shown) may be rotated at high speed, which increases the power consumption. Therefore, the power supplied from the battery module 25 is used during the period where the rapid cooling processing is performed. That is, the power supplied from the battery module 25 is used as power consumed for processing performed with an inappropriate power efficiency ratio. Since the commercial power supply 21 is not used, the electricity consumption and the electricity rate may be reduced.

Incidentally, the time when the rapid cooling processing is performed varies based on the specifications and design of the refrigerator 100. The time when the rapid cooling processing performed is near the time when the door 3 a is closed after being opened. For example, the time when the rapid cooling processing performed is determined to be the time when the door 3 a is closed, or the time when a predetermined time (e.g., a few seconds) elapses from the closing of the opened door 3 a.

Since the inside temperature is decreased due to the rapid cooling processing, the power supply may be switched from the commercial power supply 21 to the battery module 25 near the time when the inside temperature starts decreasing. Subsequently, the direct voltage transmitted from the battery module 25 may be used to perform the rapid cooling processing.

Charging Battery Module

Here, exemplary time when the battery module 25 is charged will be described. In recent years, charge systems allowing the charging amount for the electricity consumption to change based on the time zone are available. For example, the charging amount for electricity consumed during the daytime is determined to be higher than that for electricity consumed during the nighttime.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the above-described charge systems. In FIG. 6, for example, the time period from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. is determined to be a daytime zone, and that from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. is determined to be the nighttime zone. Then, the charging amount for 1 kilowatt-hour (kwh) consumed within the daytime zone is determined to be 30 yen, and that for 1 kwh consumed within the nighttime zone is determined to be 10 yen.

Within the nighttime zone, the battery module 25 may be charged at a low electricity rate. For example, assuming the information transmitted from the clock unit 33 to the power switching control unit 26 indicates that the current time is past 10 p.m., the power switching control unit 26 turns on the charging circuit 23. Subsequently, the direct voltage supplied from the AC/DC converter 22 is transmitted to the battery module 25 and the battery module 25 is charged. At that time, the direct voltage output from the AC/DC converter 22 is also supplied to the power system changing circuit 24, and selected with the power system changing circuit 24. Then, when the information transmitted from the clock unit 33 indicates that the current time is past 8 a.m., the power switching control unit 26 turns off the charging circuit 23.

The power switching control unit 26 may control the power system changing circuit 24 based on the time zone. For example, the power switching control unit 26 may turn on the charging circuit 23 when the current time is past 10 p.m., and turn off the switch 24 a of the power system changing circuit 24. In the nighttime zone, the battery module 25 may be charged and the power system changing circuit 24 may select and output the direct voltage transmitted from the battery module 25. Then, the power switching control unit 26 may turn off the charging circuit 23 when the current time is past 8 a.m., and turn on the switch 24 a of the power system changing circuit 24.

In summary, the battery module 25 is charged during the time period where the electricity rate is low, such as the nighttime zone. Further, the power supplied from the battery module 25 is used to perform the rapid cooling processing, for example. The above-described control allows for reducing the electricity consumption and a charge rate for electricity.

The battery module 25 is configured to generate the power used to perform the rapid cooling processing, for example, not the entire power used by the refrigerator 100. Therefore, the battery module 25 may be downsized to avoid a significant increase in the cost. Since the battery module 25 may be downsized, it becomes possible to prevent the inside capacity of, for example, the refrigerator compartment from being decreased due to the battery module 25 when the battery module 25 is provided in the refrigerator 100.

Flow of Processing

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary flow of processing performed in the refrigerator 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing illustrated in FIG. 7 is performed with the power switching control unit 26, for example. When the flow described below is started, the units of the refrigerator 100 operate through the use of the direct voltage transmitted from the AC/DC converter 22.

At step S1, it is determined whether or not the door 3 a of the refrigerator compartment is opened. For example, the power switching control unit 26 determines whether or not the door 3 a is opened based on the door sensor signal transmitted from the door open/close sensor 30. The door 3 a may be the door 3 b of the vegetable compartment or the door 3 c of the freezer compartment. When it is determined that the door 3 a is closed, the processing returns to step S1 to determine whether or not the door 3 a is opened. When it is determined that the door 3 a is opened, the processing advances to step S2.

At step S2, it is determined whether or not the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment is increased to at least a specified temperature. For example, the power switching control unit 26 determines whether or not the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment is increased to at least the specified temperature based on the temperature sensor signal transmitted from the inside temperature sensor 31. The specified temperature is determined to be 2° C., for example.

Incidentally, the determination processing of step S2 may not be performed. However, the door 3 a is often closed immediately after being opened by mistake. In that case, the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment hardly changes, because the door 3 a is opened over a short time period. Performing the determination processing of step S2 allows for preventing the processing from step S3 on down from being performed when the door 3 a is opened by mistake, which improves the processing efficiency. Therefore, the determination processing of step S2 may be performed.

The determination processing of step S2 may be performed to monitor the time. For example, upon recognizing the opening of the door 3 a based on the door sensor signal, the power switching control unit 26 starts the timer 32. Upon receiving a door sensor signal indicating that the door 3 a is closed before the count value of the timer 32 indicates a lapse of a specified time (e.g., two seconds), the processing from step S3 on down may not be performed. When the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment is not increased to at least the specified temperature at step S2, the processing is terminated. Otherwise, the processing advances to step S3.

At step S3, it is determined whether or not the door 3 a is closed. For example, the power switching control unit 26 determines whether or not the door 3 a is closed based on the door sensor signal transmitted from the door open/close sensor 30. When it is determined that the door 3 a is opened at step S3, the processing returns to step S3. Otherwise, the processing advances to step S4.

At step S4, it is determined whether or not the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment starts decreasing. For example, the power switching control unit 26 makes the above-described determination based on the temperature sensor signal transmitted from the inside temperature sensor 31. When the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment does not start decreasing, the processing returns to step S4. Otherwise, the processing advances to step S5.

Since the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment starts decreasing, it is determined that the rapid cooling processing is started, and the power system changing is performed. That is, at step S5, the power system is changed from the AC/DC converter 22 to the battery module 25. For example, the power switching control unit 26 turns off the switch 24 a of the power system changing circuit 24.

Due to the processing of step S5, the power system changing circuit 24 selects and outputs the direct voltage transmitted from the battery module 25. The output direct voltage is transmitted to the compressor inverter 27. The transmitted direct voltage is converted into an alternating voltage with the compressor inverter 27, and transmitted to the compressor 28. Since the motor of the compressor 28 is rotated at high speed due to the transmitted alternating voltage, the compressor 28 operates. Thus, the rapid cooling processing is performed through the use of the direct voltage transmitted from the battery module 25. After step S5 is done, the processing advances to step S6.

At step S6, the timer 32 starts counting. For example, the power switching control unit 26 starts and causes the timer 32 to start counting after switching the power supply to the battery module 25. Then, the processing advances to step S7.

At step S7, it is determined whether or not the count value of the timer 32 indicates a lapse of a specified time. The specified time denotes the period where the rapid cooling processing is performed, which is determined to be, for example, 3 minutes. When the count value of the timer 32 does not indicate a lapse of 3 minutes, the processing returns to step S7. Otherwise, the processing advances to step S8.

Since the count value of the timer 32 indicates a lapse of 3 minutes, it is determined that the rapid cooling processing is finished and the power system is changed to the commercial power supply 21 at step S8. For example, the power switching control unit 26 turns on the switch 24 a of the power system changing circuit 24. From step S8 onward, the power supplied from the commercial power supply 21 is used. An alternating voltage supplied from the commercial power supply 21 is converted into a direct voltage with the AC/DC converter, and the direct voltage is transmitted to the power system changing circuit 24.

The direct voltage transmitted from the AC/DC converter 22 is selected and output from the power system changing circuit 24. The output direct voltage is transmitted to the compressor inverter 27. The transmitted direct voltage is converted into an alternating voltage with the compressor inverter 27. The alternating voltage is transmitted to the compressor 28 and the compressor 28 operates. The control unit 29 performs control so that the motor rotation number of the compressor 28 is controlled and adjusted to that of the regular cooling processing, and the regular cooling processing is performed.

Further, the processing of step S7 may be performed to monitor the temperature. For example, the processing may advance to step S8 when the inside temperature becomes a predetermined temperature at step S7. After step S8 is done, the processing advances to step S9.

The processing is finished at step S9. For example, the power switching control unit 26 causes the timer 32 to stop the counting. Further, the monitoring of the inside temperature of the refrigerator compartment is finished. Incidentally, the temperature sensor signal output from the inside temperature sensor 31 may be continuously transmitted to the power switching control unit 26.

Exemplary Modifications

Thus, the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described. However, the present disclosure may be modified in various ways without being limited to the above-described embodiment. Hereinafter, exemplary modifications will be described.

Refrigerator of First Exemplary Modification

First, a first exemplary modification will be described. FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a refrigerator 200 according to the first exemplary modification. The external view of the refrigerator 200 is the same as that of the refrigerator 100 of the first embodiment. For the refrigerator 200, the same components as those of the refrigerator 100 are illustrated with the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

An electromotive force generation unit 34 is fixed to, for example, the door 3 a of the refrigerator 200. The electromotive force generation unit 34 includes, for example, a coil and a magnet. The magnet is displaced within the coil based on the open/close operation of the door 3 a, and an electromotive force is generated and transmitted to a boosting transformer 35. The electromotive force generation unit 34 may include a piezoelectric element, etc. The electromotive force is generated when the piezoelectric element is displaced due to an impact of the closing of the door 3 a. The generated electromotive force may be transmitted to the boosting transformer 35. Further, the electromotive generation unit 34 may be fixed not only to the door 3 a, but also to the door 3 b or the door 3 c.

The boosting transformer 35 boosts and transmits a voltage transmitted from the electromotive force generation unit 35 to the charging circuit 23. The battery module 25 is charged through the use of the transmitted voltage. Thus, the charging is performed through the use of a voltage generated due to the open/close operation of the door 3 a. As a consequence, the use of the commercial power supply 21 may be reduced to decrease the electricity consumption, and the electricity rate.

Exemplary Charging Control

Exemplary charging control performed in the refrigerator 200 is described below. When the door 3 a is opened, a door sensor signal indicating the opening of the door 3 a is transmitted from the door open/close sensor 30 to the power switching control unit 26. Upon receiving the door sensor signal, the power switching control unit 26 turns on the charging circuit 23. The charging circuit 23 charges the battery module 25 through the use of a boosted electromotive force generated due to the opening of the door 3 a. Further, when the door 3 a is closed, a boosted electromotive force generated due to the closing of the door 3 a is transmitted to the charging circuit 23. The charging circuit 23 charges the battery module 25 through the use of the transmitted electromotive force.

When the door 3 a is closed, a door sensor signal indicating that the door 3 a is closed is transmitted to the power switching control unit 26. Upon receiving the door sensor signal, the power switching control unit 26 turns off the charging circuit 23. Thus, the charging circuit 23 is turned on under the control of the power switching control unit 26 during the time period from when the door 3 a is opened to when the door 3 a is closed. Then, the battery module 25 is charged through the use of an electromotive force generated due to the open/close operation of the door 3 a. Further, the charging circuit 23 may be turned on within the nighttime zone and the battery module 25 may be charged, as is the case with the refrigerator 100.

Second Exemplary Modification

Next, a second exemplary modification will be described. According to the second exemplary modification, the configuration of a power system changing circuit is different from that of the power system changing circuit 24 of the first embodiment and the first exemplary modification. FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a power system changing circuit 44 of the second exemplary modification. A switch 44 a and a diode 44 b are provided on one side of the power system changing circuit 44, on which an input from the AC/DC converter 22 is received. A diode 44 c is provided on the other side of the power system changing circuit 44, on which an input from the battery module 25 is received. In the power system changing circuit 44, the switch 44 a is constantly connected. Incidentally, only the diode 44 b may be provided on the side where the input from the AC/DC converter 22 is received.

Usually, a high voltage is transmitted from the AC/DC converter 22. Therefore, the diode 44 b is brought into conduction and a direct voltage transmitted form the AC/DC converter 22 is selected. For example, when the electricity consumption amount is increased due to the rapid cooling processing, the voltage transmitted from the AC/DC converter 22 falls depending on the capability of the AC/DC converter 22. For example, when the AC/DC converter 22 is a small AC/DC converter having a small circuit scale, the voltage may fall.

When the voltage transmitted from the AC/DC converter 22 is decreased, the voltage transmitted from the battery module 25 becomes higher than that transmitted from the AC/DC converter 22. Subsequently, the diode 44 c is brought into conduction and the voltage output from the battery module 25 is selected.

Thus, even though the voltage transmitted from the AC/DC converter 22 falls when the rapid cooling processing is performed, for example, the refrigerator 100 can operate continuously through the use of a voltage additionally transmitted from the battery module 25. Therefore, the AC/DC converter 22 may be reduced in size, which decreases the cost. A choice between the control performed to change the power system to the battery module 25 when the rapid cooling processing is performed, which is described with reference to FIG. 4, and the control performed to additionally use the battery module 25 when the rapid cooling processing performed, which is described with reference to FIG. 9, may be made.

Third Exemplary Modification

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary modification of the flow of the processing performed in the refrigerator 100 of the embodiment. According to the above-described flow, for example, the power system is changed to the battery module 25-side at the time when the door 3 a of the refrigerator compartment is closed. Processing procedures performed at steps S11 to S13 illustrated in FIG. 10 correspond to those performed at steps S1 to S3 illustrated in FIG. 7. When it is determined that the door 3 a is closed at step S13, the processing advances to step S14.

At step S14, the power switching control unit 26 turns off the switch 24 a of the power system changing circuit 24. Subsequently, the power system changing circuit 24 selects and outputs a direct voltage transmitted from the battery module 25. Then, the processing advances to step S15.

At step S15, it is determined whether or not the inside temperature starts decreasing. When the inside temperature does not start decreasing, the processing returns to step S15 and the determination processing is repeated. Otherwise, the processing advances to step S16. Since processing procedures performed at steps S16 to S19 correspond to those performed at steps S6 to S9 illustrated in FIG. 7, redundant descriptions are omitted.

The rapid cooling processing, which decreases the inside temperature increased in response to, for example, the opening the door 3 a, is often performed at substantially the same time as when the door 3 a is closed. Therefore, the power system may be changed to the battery module 25 at the time when the door 3 a is closed, as is the case with the processing of the exemplary modification.

Other Exemplary Modifications

In the above-described embodiment and modifications, the refrigerators are illustrated as exemplary cooling apparatuses. Without being limited to the refrigerators, however, the present disclosure can be applied to other cooling apparatuses including a wine cooler, a refrigerator facility for industrial use, and so forth. Further, even though the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator is mainly described in each of the above-described embodiment and modifications, the present disclosure can also be applied to the vegetable compartment or the freezer compartment.

In general, refrigerators are usually used in the daytime, and hardly used in the late-nighttime zone. Therefore, the processing procedures illustrated in FIG. 7 of FIG. 10 may be performed in a specified time zone.

Further, the present disclosure may be applied to different electronic apparatuses. For example, in a copier having a facsimile function, a battery module is charged in a nighttime zone where the use frequency is low. Then, processing causing the copier to consume much power, which reduces efficiency, is performed through the use of a voltage supplied from the battery module. The processing consuming much power is varied among the electronic apparatuses. For example, the processing consuming much power may be processing causing an apparatus to consume power exceeding an appropriately determined threshold value. The threshold value may be fixed or determined based on the usage history of the apparatus.

The configurations and processing procedures of the above-described embodiment and modifications may be appropriately combined with one another insofar as no technical contradiction arises.

The present disclosure may be configured as below.

(1)

A cooling apparatus including:

a first power supply;

a second power supply;

a door configured to open/close a compartment; and

a power switching control unit configured to switch a power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply near time when the door is closed after being opened.

(2)

The cooling apparatus according to (1), wherein the power switching control unit switches the power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply at the time when the door is closed.

(3)

The cooling apparatus according to (1), wherein the power switching control unit switches the power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply at time when a temperature of the compartment starts decreasing after the door is closed.

(4)

The cooling apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein when the compartment temperature is increased to at least a specified temperature due to opening of the door, the power switching control unit switches the power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply near time when the door is closed.

(5)

A cooling apparatus including:

a first power supply;

a second power supply; and

a power switching control unit configured to switch a power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply near time when a temperature of a compartment starts decreasing.

(6)

The cooling apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the power switching control unit switches the power supply from the second power supply to the first power supply after a lapse of a specified time.

(7)

The cooling apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the second power supply is a chargeable power storage device, and the power storage device is charged under the control of the power switching control unit.

(8)

A control method provided for a cooling apparatus including:

a first power supply; and

a second power supply,

wherein a power supply is switched from the first power supply to the second power supply near time when a temperature of a compartment starts decreasing.

The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2011-088661 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Apr. 12, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

1. A cooling apparatus comprising: a first power supply; a second power supply; and a power switching control unit configured to switch a power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply near time when a temperature of a compartment starts decreasing.
 2. The cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power switching control unit switches the power supply from the second power supply to the first power supply after a lapse of a specified time.
 3. A cooling apparatus comprising: a first power supply; a second power supply; a door configured to open/close a compartment; and a power switching control unit configured to switch a power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply near time when the door is closed.
 4. The cooling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the power switching control unit switches the power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply at the time when the door is closed.
 5. The cooling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the power switching control unit switches the power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply at time when a temperature of the compartment starts decreasing after the door is closed.
 6. The cooling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when a temperature of the compartment is increased to at least a specified temperature due to opening of the door, the power switching control unit switches the power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply near the time when the door is closed.
 7. The cooling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the power switching control unit switches the power supply from the second power supply to the first power supply after a lapse of a specified time.
 8. The cooling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second power supply is a chargeable power storage device, and the power storage device is charged under the control of the power switching control unit.
 9. A control method provided for a cooling apparatus comprising: a first power supply; and a second power supply, wherein a power supply is switched from the first power supply to the second power supply near time when a temperature of a compartment starts decreasing. 